"Men are less hesitant about harming someone..." - Quote by Niccolo Machiavelli

“The prince who relies upon their words, without having otherwise provided for his security, is ruined; for friendships that are won by awards, and not by greatness and nobility of soul, although deserved, yet are not real, and cannot be depended upon in time of adversity.”

“There is nothing so difficult or so dangerous as to undertake to change the order of things.”

“So long as the great majority of men are not deprived of either property or honor, they are satisfied.”

“And yet, just as our body would burst asunder if the pressure of the atmosphere were removed from it, so would the arrogance of men expand, if not to the point of bursting then to that of the most unbridled folly, indeed madness, if the pressure of want, toil, calamity and frustration were removed from their life. One can even say that we require at all times a certain quantity of care or sorrow or want, as a ship requires ballast, in order to keep on a straight course.”

“Subdue your appetites, my dears, and you've conquered human nature .”

“Fame is proof that the people are gullible.”

“Never run from what you don't understand, as it will be waiting for you every time you come to a stop.”

“I often wondered whether any of the others grasped that I had done it solely to avoid looking a fool.”

“Must one dread what others dread?”